A friendly reminder that in these crazy times, check your parts! Don't just take your new LPK, grip, etc and throw it in your safe without at least a fit test.

Both my orders were from legitamet vendors; Riflegear (Magpul Kgrip) and Aimsurplus (CMMG LPK). I did a fit test using two different lowers and had problems with both orders.

The first problem isn't a big deal, just a pain...they sent me the wrong sized pistol grip screw. A buddy of mine thinks its a metric, who knows... I got a few 1/4X28 screws from work and they go in like butter. Whatever was in my CMMG LPK from Aimsurplus was not a 1/4X28. Doesn't instill a ton of confidence that the rest of their parts are right, but I'll find out this weekend.

The second problem is a bit ridiculous. The opening of the Magpul K grip that mates with the lower receiver is way undersized! I measured the thickness of two lowers and they are ~0.380". I then measured the Magpul grip opening and it was ~0.346". I went online and found a drawing that looks like the lower should be 0.375" nominal (http://www.firearmfiles.com/files/AR...%20Drawing.pdf), which would mean the Magpul is way off! I also measured the openings of the standard pistol grips that came with my CMMG and Spikes LPKs and they measured ~0.385"-0.405" at approximately the same location as the Magpul measured 0.346".

I've contacted both manufacturers, no word yet. Before this thread blows up with "I've gotten good parts from them", "mine work fine", etc I just want to reiterate that I am not saying CMMG or Magpul make crap parts. Unfortunately this is my first experience with both manufacturers, but I'm sure this is a very rare thing.

You tried spreading the part where the grip connects to the lower? I've had to use a whole lot of force in the past.

__________________
...Slow, deep breath in followed by two quick, shallow exhales, then one long breath out. It should sound like "HEE HEE HOOOOOOOOooooooo...HEE HEE HOOOOOOOOooooooo". Once your comfortable with that breathing pattern, try to sync the tempo up with your heart rate. "Lub-dub...HEE HEE HOOOOOOOOooooooo... etc". ~ CBruce

A friendly reminder that in these crazy times, check your parts! Don't just take your new LPK, grip, etc and throw it in your safe without at least a fit test.

Both my orders were from legitamet vendors; Riflegear (Magpul Kgrip) and Aimsurplus (CMMG LPK). I did a fit test using two different lowers and had problems with both orders.

The first problem isn't a big deal, just a pain...they sent me the wrong sized pistol grip screw. A buddy of mine thinks its a metric, who knows... I got a few 1/4X28 screws from work and they go in like butter. Whatever was in my CMMG LPK from Aimsurplus was not a 1/4X28. Doesn't instill a ton of confidence that the rest of their parts are right, but I'll find out this weekend.

The second problem is a bit ridiculous. The opening of the Magpul K grip that mates with the lower receiver is way undersized! I measured the thickness of two lowers and they are ~0.380". I then measured the Magpul grip opening and it was ~0.346". I went online and found a drawing that looks like the lower should be 0.375" nominal (http://www.firearmfiles.com/files/AR...%20Drawing.pdf), which would mean the Magpul is way off! I also measured the openings of the standard pistol grips that came with my CMMG and Spikes LPKs and they measured ~0.385"-0.405" at approximately the same location as the Magpul measured 0.346".

I've contacted both manufacturers, no word yet. Before this thread blows up with "I've gotten good parts from them", "mine work fine", etc I just want to reiterate that I am not saying CMMG or Magpul make crap parts. Unfortunately this is my first experience with both manufacturers, but I'm sure this is a very rare thing.

No it is not my first build. Based on your comments, I again repeat my concerns about using Magpul parts if they require such drastic measures just to have them fit. This assembly isn't complicated or tightly toleranced...I don't quite understand why they have such issues making good parts.

No it is not my first build. Based on your comments, I again repeat my concerns about using Magpul parts if they require such drastic measures just to have them fit. This assembly isn't complicated or tightly toleranced...I don't quite understand why they have such issues making good parts.

Better too tight than too loose. If it's an issue, buy a Hogue grip.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by fighterpilot562

Damn it man! We could have got drunk, called a taxi and drop by Kest house with a mega phone.

Its not "better too tight" if too tight means you can not assemble the grip on the lower, making the part is completely useless.
I do have an issue with poor quality/design, so I guess I'll be going elsewhere for my purchases from now on. I've got to admit, I'm a little disappointed that y'all (calguns) tolerate all of these issues...

Its not "better too tight" if too tight means you can not assemble the grip on the lower, making the part is completely useless.
I do have an issue with poor quality/design, so I guess I'll be going elsewhere for my purchases from now on. I've got to admit, I'm a little disappointed that y'all (calguns) tolerate all of these issues...

It's a plastic grip. How do you know it's Magpul's QC and not deformed from packing/shipping?

You're making a mountain out of a molehill. This is a non-issue. Seems like you just want something to complain about.

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Quote:

Originally Posted by fighterpilot562

Damn it man! We could have got drunk, called a taxi and drop by Kest house with a mega phone.

Perhaps it is from shipping, although I'd be surprised, either way its a QC issue.

I don't think I'm making a mountain out of a molehill...sounds to me like you just want to argue with someone about something...so I'm done responding to your posts...

Again, the point of the post was to remind people to check the parts they receive...just like every other product you buy everyday of your life, just because you order it one way doesn't mean thats what you get when it arrives...

For what people pay for plastic and aluminum parts for AR's, I think they should be damn near perfect. While I understand that most are made in the USA they are often priced as if they were one-of-a-kind pieces from a renowned artist, not one of a batch of a thousand made this month. If you charge $30 for a sling swivel, it should attach itself to your rifle for you. There should be no flash, no discoloration and it should fit like it was born there.
If your grip won't fit, have them send you one that will. $20 for an injection-molded piece of plastic that won't fit a standard lower is B.S.

If it's too tight you can always sand down a bit but I get your concern. There shouldn't be a need to sand down for the price.

I just installed the MIAD grip and I screwed up the threads on my lower so I'll need to retap it but that grip was pretty tight to get on, which I liked because then I know once I put the screw that thing isn't going anywhere. I just had to slide it in the right way. (that's what she said)

i have never used anything from cmmg but the magpul grips i have bought came with their own grip screws that fit. all the magpul parts i own have fit perfectly. the moe and miad grips were snug fit but i would rather have i tight fitting grip so it doesnt wobble. the standard a2 grip on another ar was the biggest pita to install.

imo, your making a big deal over nothing.

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A SWAT Monkey is a powerful psychological tool. Imagine you are a criminal hiding in a closet and you hear "Release the monkey!" You would shudder.

I put together my first lower recently. It's a Spike's and when I went to install the Magpul grip, it was definitely really tight. So much so, that I thought either the grip or lower were defective. I even considered sanding down the grip, but I didn't. Eventually I managed to angle it in just enough to were I could apply force to it and it went in fine after that. Now that it's on, I prefer that it went on tightly.

So to be clear, I've made about 20 measurements on the grip, not a single location is large enough to accept the lower. In addition I have tried stretching the plastic and it can't be stretched to fit without serious concerns of breaking the part. I'm not *****ing because the part is a little out of spec, the damn thing can not fit!

Gotta be honest, disappointing experience with most of you calguns members. Seems like your brand loyalty is influencing your responses to someone who's having a legitimate problem.

The entire point of this post was to remind people, especially new buyers, to check what they bring home. Manufacturers make mistakes, parts get left out of assemblies, it happens. Either way I'm done with this thread.

I agree, it shouldn't be that difficult but I still manage to put it on. Try getting an edge in on the highest rearmost point of the lower. Then just shimmy in with force. Or you can always return the thing and try another brand. Your money, your call.

I've always had to sand magpul parts. That goes for just about every part they make. Maybe I'm anal and don't like the molding seams, or maybe I'm old school and consider it the job of a gunsmith to use available tools to custom fit pieces together.

As much as the lego analogy gets passed around, they aren't legos. Plastic is much easier then metal to work on. Some sandpaper and a few needle files are all you need.

are you sure the threads were wrong on the screw? I had similar issues on with my CMMG 308 LPK. I happened to have a 1/4 28 die so I use it to clean up the threads in my JD Matched Set ($700) and that solved the issue for me. Even threads of the same size can have different tolerances.

I put together my first lower recently. It's a Spike's and when I went to install the Magpul grip, it was definitely really tight. So much so, that I thought either the grip or lower were defective. I even considered sanding down the grip, but I didn't. Eventually I managed to angle it in just enough to were I could apply force to it and it went in fine after that. Now that it's on, I prefer that it went on tightly.

Same thing happened to me. I bought a 'what was left' LPK from DPMS and had fitment issues on my new spike's lower. The MM grip was too tight to fit, and I had to shave a little away and then angle/pound to get it on. Then I ordered a buffer/tube/buttstock from amazon that was crap and didn't even allow my BCG to clear the bolt catch.

Quote:

Originally Posted by dingle_berry

So to be clear, I've made about 20 measurements on the grip, not a single location is large enough to accept the lower. In addition I have tried stretching the plastic and it can't be stretched to fit without serious concerns of breaking the part. I'm not *****ing because the part is a little out of spec, the damn thing can not fit!

Gotta be honest, disappointing experience with most of you calguns members. Seems like your brand loyalty is influencing your responses to someone who's having a legitimate problem.

The entire point of this post was to remind people, especially new buyers, to check what they bring home. Manufacturers make mistakes, parts get left out of assemblies, it happens. Either way I'm done with this thread.

Props to the OP for sharing his experience. I had the same concerns, and he gets a ration of crap from people for trying to help out someone else. Great job guys.

__________________
...Slow, deep breath in followed by two quick, shallow exhales, then one long breath out. It should sound like "HEE HEE HOOOOOOOOooooooo...HEE HEE HOOOOOOOOooooooo". Once your comfortable with that breathing pattern, try to sync the tempo up with your heart rate. "Lub-dub...HEE HEE HOOOOOOOOooooooo... etc". ~ CBruce

I'd be really interested in what Magpul would have to say. Whether it was the intention to have things fit really tight to the point that a customer may have to rework the product or that they just have crap QC

Parts are usually small so they can be fit the way the user wants. Granted in your case it seems a bit worse than usual but some heat or sand paper on the inside of the grip will make that a great shooter.

Parts that are tight are never a problem in my eyes. If the magpul grip was too big and had a lot of slop, the would be crappy QC IMHO